Program Notes
Subject Code for Biochemistry: BCHM
World Wide Web Address: http://healthsci.queensu.ca/liscbchm/biochemistry
Associate Dean of Life Sciences, Biochemistry, and Health Sciences: Michael A. Adams
Director of Biochemistry: Laura van Staalduinen
Departmental Office: Botterell Hall, Room 815
Departmental Telephone: 613-533-2900
Departmental E-mail Address: biochem@queensu.ca
Overview
Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the structures and chemical processes of molecules in living organisms that interact to form cells, tissues, and whole organisms. The Biochemistry program at Queen’s provides students with in-depth training in a wide range of important topics that are related to these processes, including the mechanisms of cancer progression, cellular communication, and the molecular and chemical basis of infection, inheritance, and disease. The program also offers opportunities for students to explore rapidly expanding fields in molecular genetics, metabolism of biomolecules, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine through hands-on training with professors in research labs.
The first two years of the program provides vital background preparation in Biology, Chemistry (organic, analytical, and physical), Molecular Biology, Math, and Statistical Analysis, to understand the molecules that make up all living things. In the upper years of the program, students receive in-depth exposure to all areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, including extensive hands-on laboratory experiences. The Biochemistry program has enough flexibility for students to take elective courses offered in other programs within the Faculty of Arts and Science, including the Life Sciences program, for which they are eligible.
The Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences is responsible for Biochemistry Plans (General/Minor (Science), Major, Specialization) and plays a primary role in the Life Sciences Plans (General/Minor (Science), Major, Specialization). For specific information related to the Biochemistry and Life Sciences Programs, please consult the Biochemistry Program and Life Sciences Program entries in the Calendar.
Program Policies
Students pursuing entry into the fourth-year of the Biochemistry Major Plan require a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the core BCHM courses (BCHM 218, BCHM 313, BCHM 315, BCHM 316, and BCHM 317) to access those fourth-year courses required to complete the Plan. See Academic Regulations 2.4 and 2.6.
Students wishing to continue in Biochemistry Specialization Plan (BCHM-P-BSH) in their fourth-year must:
- achieve a minimum GPA in the core BCHM courses (see above) of 2.9 and
- acceptance into the Plan.
Students who secure a research project but do not attain the minimum GPA of 2.9 will not be allowed to enrol in BCHM 421 and BCHM 422 but will be allowed to complete the Biochemistry Major Plan.
Laboratory Safety
Departmental Safety Rules are strictly enforced. A standard white laboratory coat is required for all laboratory courses. Shoes must be closed at both heel and toe. Additional safety requirements will be described at the first laboratory in each laboratory-based course.
Advice to Students
Students should seek academic counselling from the staff in the Associate Dean’s office or from the counsellor listed below.
Course Prefix | Counsellor | Contact Information |
---|---|---|
BCHM | TBD | |
BCHM and LISC | TBD | |
BCHM and LISC | Beatriz Sugarman | biochem@queensu.ca |
BCHM and LISC | Katherine Rudder | lifesci@queensu.ca |
Biochemistry Plans
The flagship program is the Biochemistry Specialization Plan (BCHM-P-BSH), which is recommended for students who wish to gain in-depth training in modern experimental Biochemistry and Biochemical processes involved in human health and disease. This program culminates in an intensive fourth-year thesis research project. It equips students with a solid foundation for entry into a variety of science-based graduate programs. Students may access this Plan at the start of their fourth year, on securing a research project.
The Biochemistry Major Plan (BCHM-M-BSH) is designed for those students who want comprehensive training in Biochemistry but may wish to pursue interests outside of experimental Biochemistry. This option provides flexibility for students to take a minor in another subject. To accommodate these interests there are opportunities for more elective credits in the final year of the program. Typically, students interested in pursuing alternate plans than graduate studies in experimental Biochemistry should enrol in this Plan.
Faculty
For more information, please visit: https://dbms.queensu.ca/faculty
- Sheela Abraham
- John Allingham
- Robert L. Campbell
- Chantelle Cappicotti
- Edmond Chan
- Andrew Craig
- Peter L. Davies
- Zongchao Jia
- Glenville Jones
- Mark Ormiston
- Donald H. Maurice
- Christopher R. Mueller
- P. Martin Petkovich
- Steven P. Smith
Courses
NOTE Primarily intended for students in Nursing, Life Sciences, or Biochemistry programs. Other Arts and Science students require permission of the Department to enrol.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.
LEARNING HOURS may vary. 120 (36L;12T;72P)
EQUIVALENCY MBIO 218/3.0.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Explain how biomolecules (DNA, RNA, protein) function and interact to support life; (PLO 1, Assessment 1-5)
- Apply research-based theories to solve problems related to biochemistry and molecular biology; (PLO 1, Assessment 1-5)
- Note: PLO refers to the program learning outcome that each course learning outcome matches to.
- Use computer-based multimedia to model and mimic the behaviour of biomolecules when conditions can be controlled in an in vitro-type experimental situation, and within the context of simulated cells; (PLO 2, LaunchPad simulations)
NOTE Also offered online. Consult the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.
NOTE This introductory biochemistry online course is intended for prospective students in Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Commerce, and general science programs.
NOTE May not be taken for credit towards the Plan requirements of the BCHM or LISC Specialization or Major Plans.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and describe the structures and functions of the major classes of biochemical molecules in the body and explain how they are synthesized and broken down in metabolism.
- Explain the concepts of regulation by inhibition and activation at the enzyme level and extend these concepts to describe biochemical pathway regulation in the processes of metabolism at the level of the cell, organ, and body in health and disease.
- Collaborate and communicate an understanding of the biochemical basis of an error in metabolism, including current and future diagnosis and treatments.
- Integrate the roles of biochemical molecules and their associated processes to explain the consequences of a change in a particular biochemical process in health and disease.
NOTE Students lacking the prerequisites CHEM 222/3.0 or CHEM 282/3.0 may take these courses as a corequisite with permission of the Department.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Use and understand the limitations of a variety of equipment used in biochemical studies.
- Work with samples on a microliter and microgram scale.
- Appropriately present, analyze and interpret a variety of experimental biochemical data.
- Demonstrate the presentation of experimental results in the form of written laboratory reports.
- Use sequence viewing and molecular graphics software to perform multiple sequence alignments, examine the structures of proteins and identify intermolecular interactions.
- Apply molecular biology knowledge to the design of molecular cloning experiments.
- Identify and use various techniques for purification of proteins.
NOTE If you have taken or are currently registered in BCHM 310/9.0 you may contact the department for permission to enrol.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- After completing the course, students will be proficient in using a variety of equipment used in biochemical studies
- After completing the course, students will gain proficientcy in working with samples on a microliter and microgram scale
- After completing the course, students will be able to present, analyuze and interpret a variety of experimental biochemical data in an appropriate manner
- After completing the course, students will be able to present experimental results in the form of written laboratory reports
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Use and understand the limitations of a variety of equipment used in biochemical studies.
- Work with samples on a microliter and microgram scale.
- Appropriately present, analyze and interpret a variety of experimental biochemical data.
- Demonstrate the presentation of experimental results in the form of written laboratory reports.
- Identify and use various techniques for purification of proteins.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Compose a synthetic biological part to solve a real-world problem (including but not limited to medicine, artistry, and agricultural applications).
- Design a methodology to clone, express, purify, and functionally assess a protein, starting with a gene.
- Predict the properties of a biological part using computational modelling and computer aided visual tools.
- Debate the usage and ethical considerations of synthetic biology in everyday life.
- Integrate synthetic biology methodologies with the central dogma of molecular biology.
- Communicate the necessity and requirements of a research project by scientific writing.
NOTE Also offered online. Consult the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Assimilate the evolution and advancements in the field of genetics and genomics to understand how they permitted the mapping of genes contributing to human diseases, traits, and drug response outcomes.
- Apply the basic principles of research methodology to develop biological hypotheses pertaining to the role or contribution of genetic factors in human traits and identify methodologies for testing such hypotheses.
- Reconcile the impact of genetic and genomics studies on the field to discuss the strengths and limitations of genetics studies and how this can affect progress in clinical outcome.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the physical and functional properties of the human genome
- Use Bioinformatic tools to identify human variation and assess their significance
- Understand how genome variation is assessed and contributes to human disease and therapies
- Interprete the significance of SNPs and cancer mutations
- Understand how microRNA’s control gene expression
- Understand the applications of genome editing tools to research and therapy
- Understand how epigenetics can control gene expression
- Know the role of stem cells in development and disease
- Anaylse and interprete contriversial scientific literature and present findings from advanced molecular biology-related research articles to your peers
NOTE 6.0-unit course offered in the Fall Term.
NOTE 6.0-unit course offered in the Fall Term.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- The primary objective of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the major signaling pathways that regulate important cell functions such as growth, proliferation, survival and motility.
- Emphasis will be placed on the biochemical properties, including structure and enzymatic activity, of key signaling enzymes such as protein kinases, ubiquitin ligases, G protein coupled receptors and the enzymes that synthesize leukotrienes and prostaglandins.
NOTE Students in the BCHM Specialization Plan registered in BCHM 421 and BCHM 422 will not be allowed to register in BCHM 441; Students in the LISC Specialization Plan registered in one of ANAT 499, CANC 499, EPID 499, LISC 499, MICR 455, MICR 499, NSCI 499, PATH 499, PHAR 499or PHGY 499 will not be allowed to register in BCHM 441.
NOTE Students in the BCHM Major Plan registered in BCHM 441/3.0 will not be allowed to register in BCHM 442/3.0.
NOTE: Only offered online. Consult the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Describe what proteomics and metabolomics are, including how they differ from other emerging ‘omics fields, to identify the significance they carry in scientific research. (PLO 8; Assessment 1–5)
- Understand the basis of proteomic and metabolomic techniques and their limitations to be able to create scientific arguments as to whether or not they can be applied to a specific problem. (PLO 8; Assessment 1, 3–4)
- Identify the types of information that proteomic and metabolomic techniques provide, and how these techniques can become more powerful when combined with complementary methods. (PLO 8; Assessment 1, 3–5)
- Develop an appreciation of how online databases can be used as tools in the comprehensive analysis of the results gained from metabolomic and proteomic methods discussed. (PLO 8; Assessment 1, 3)
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of how the proteomic and metabolomic methods can be used in both the study and diagnosis of disease states in order to apply them to their own research endeavors. (PLO 8; Assessment 1, 3–5)
NOTE Requests for an independent study must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the independent study.
NOTE Requests for an independent study must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the independent study.
NOTE Requests for an independent study must be received one month before the start of the first term in which the student intends to undertake the independent study.